Guatemala Trip:  June 13-20, 2020

Wellspring has been sending adult and family trips to Hope of Life in Guatemala since 2013. Our group has been growing in relationship with one specific village, El Remolino, and the local pastor, Pastor Saul, since 2014. We have outfitted the church with an audio system and instruments, provided the school with supplies, provided clean water filters, built a home, and given much in the way of basic supplies to each household in the village. The most important part of our journey has been the opportunity to pray in the family homes and to bring the love of God, with His message of hope, to these desperately poor people. Several team members have committed to traveling to Guatemala annually, while also staying connected to Pastor Saul and others in Guatemala throughout the year, via modern technology. This ongoing communication allows us to better prepare for our week and meet the current needs of the village.

In preparing for this year’s trip, we feel the pull of God to return to our original purpose.  Our emphasis this year will be prayer, worship, and bringing the Good News of Jesus to everyone we contact. Our practice of bringing prayer (along with a blessing of rice and beans) to every family in the village will continue, as will our practice of worshipping in the dump adjacent to the village. Additionally, we will prioritize baby rescues and a vacation bible school program in Remolino.

Hope of Life’s baby rescue program seeks to find children in extreme poverty in rural areas who are suffering from illness or malnutrition, and intervene with potentially lifesaving measures. After a sick baby is identified, a team travels to his or her remote village and transports the child to the Hope of Life hospital for treatment. Once the child’s health is restored, he or she is returned home and a follow up plan is initiated to prevent relapse. Last year we raised funds through the collection of refundable cans and bottles [at 5 cents each], to support one such rescue, and God graciously let our team participate in one additional rescue as well. By responding to the dire needs of these precious children, five of our team members were forever changed by their experience. We are well on our way to reaching our goal of funding two ‘rescues’ this year, thanks to the faithful donation of ‘returnables’ by many of you. If you would like more information on how you can help, see us at the table in the cafe area after this Sunday’s service, or contact us at valvujs@gmail.com.

Our other focus on this trip will be to provide a vacation bible school program for the children of Remolino, bringing hope to their desperate situations through the promises of God. Songs, games, crafts, and bible stories will serve to show God’s love for everyone in the village, which will be especially impactful since the moms of the village will be in attendance. As we continue in our planning, we realize that we may need additional funding for this program, and would ask that you prayerfully consider making a donation of supplies in the near future. If that is the case, I will be back in touch, with a list of supplies that we need.  Many thanks to those who have already supported our efforts. Your support is a wonderful blessing!

As we finalize our plans for this year’s trip, please pray that:

• those who are called to go will have all obstacles and worries removed;
• the team will be filled with God’s wisdom and plan for our limited time; and
• nothing will interfere with the implementation of the plans God reveals to us.

For more information concerning participating in this year’s trip (June 13-20, 2020) contact us at either valvujs@gmail.com or 860-841-2738.